Today's guest blogger is Ryan Matthysse, Director of Worship and Arts at Faith Church.
It’s my first day back home after spending five days in Haiti and I’m a blubbery, sloppy mess. My “re-entry” into my comfortable American lifestyle has been especially jarring this time. I haven’t returned to my youngest son’s birth country since being there two months before the devastating earthquake in January 2010. Trying to find the words to describe my experience is useless. As my mind tries to recap the last few days in order to fill people in on my travels, I am overcome with emotion. Unspeakable poverty. Unbearable images. I simply wasn’t prepared for the sights, sounds, and smells of Port-au-Prince, Haiti “post-earthquake”.
It’s overwhelming to think about progress, sustainable development, or about making any type of lasting impact there. Well over a million people have made these make-shift “tent cities” their home. But God’s presence is felt in such a powerful way within this country. And when it felt the situation was hopeless, I met a pastor in a rural village who spoke of the goodness of God. I saw the benefits of an agri-business through World Relief in which entire communities are learning to live off the land and even make a small income. I visited the orphanage of God’s Littlest Angels where babies are receiving attention, toddlers are having books read to them, and older children are receiving an education. All of them nourished by bread and clean water, while learning about the Bread of Life and Living Water. There is evidence of hope, and it made me want to give my entire life to it.
In Haiti, nearly everyone is outside during the day. I think about the thousands of people I must have laid eyes on in my short time there. Each one is uniquely created and cherished by God Himself. He delights in them. Jesus gave His life for each one. The parents have hopes and dreams for their children, just as I do for mine. The fathers are doing their best to provide for their family. Though our two nations seem worlds apart, we have so much in common. We all have been created in the image of God.
On the balcony of the house we stayed at, a group of us would pray and worship the Lord while overlooking the tents, slums, and rubble of Port-au-Prince. We sang songs like “God of this City” and “Mighty to Save.” In those moments, God would bring His peace and remind us that the people of Haiti are His people. And He loves them with a passionate love!
Most people know me as a sensitive guy, who shows emotion easily when talking about my kids, my bride, or my Detroit Lions. I am not going to apologize over my tears when talking about the conditions of Haiti. I know that God is breaking my calloused heart over what breaks His.
But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.
Psalm 9:18
as far as the East is from the West...
thanks for putting the big picture into perspective!
Posted by: spittingimage | April 19, 2011 at 08:30 PM
Bono said the same thing about Africa when U2 visited there in the 1980's. I've heard Bono say on several occasions he has never been the same because of his experiences with the people in need in Africa. There are almost 100 different passages in the Bible referencing the world's poor. In Proverbs 28:27 we are told; "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."
God loves us all!!!
Posted by: Joelcalderone | May 18, 2011 at 03:33 PM